I read a number of books by English writers and sometimes I come across things I just don't understand, even considering the context.
For instance: I'm reading "Excellent Women" by Barbara Pym and came across the use of "distemper" in reference to painting a room. I'm only used to seeing this word in reference to a dog needing a vet.
What does distemper have to do with room painting? Is it like priming?
GIYF. Distemper: A kind of paint using glue or size instead of an oil base, for use on walls or for scene-painting.
Yes, it's what they used years ago, before we had vinyl paints.
Question: My wife just returned from a trip to the British Isles, and she said that "fanny" means vagina...? Is that right?
Puts a new twist on the fanny pack, no?
Quote from: hismikeness on July 19, 2012, 02:15:13 PM
Question: My wife just returned from a trip to the British Isles, and she said that "fanny" means vagina...? Is that right?
Puts a new twist on the fanny pack, no?
Hahahaha. A decade ago I rode on the back of a motorcycle all the way from Denver to Sturgis SD and back in a weekend. I made an Irish gentleman friend of mine laugh and laugh by reporting that "My fanny feels like roast beef." I, of course, was referring to my rear end.
It's true, although the word is now pretty old-fashioned.
Quote from: hismikeness on July 19, 2012, 02:15:13 PM
Puts a new twist on the fanny pack, no?
We say bum-bag.
Quote from: Tom62 on July 19, 2012, 05:25:24 AM
GIYF. Distemper: A kind of paint using glue or size instead of an oil base, for use on walls or for scene-painting.
Quote from: OldGit on July 19, 2012, 09:01:57 AM
Yes, it's what they used years ago, before we had vinyl paints.
That makes sense, the story is set just after WWII. Thanks!
"Knock me up" also has very, very different meanings on both sides of the Atlantic...
True ;D Not to mention 'fag'.
I have another one from the same book: Anglo-Catholic. When I read this I assumed it referred to someone from Britian who was Catholic (i.e., Roman Catholic, which is the same thing on this side of the pond). Then later in the book the narrator was asked about a Catholic church and she described her own church, which I thought was C of E, what with the vicar being engaged to be married and all. The people she was talking to were confused as well until it was sorted out that she was talking about Anglo-Catholic, and they meant Roman Catholic. So just to confirm, Anglo-Catholic is the same as C of E? Or is this another religious group entirely?
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 21, 2012, 07:28:24 PM
I have another one from the same book: Anglo-Catholic. When I read this I assumed it referred to someone from Britian who was Catholic (i.e., Roman Catholic, which is the same thing on this side of the pond). Then later in the book the narrator was asked about a Catholic church and she described her own church, which I thought was C of E, what with the vicar being engaged to be married and all. The people she was talking to were confused as well until it was sorted out that she was talking about Anglo-Catholic, and they meant Roman Catholic. So just to confirm, Anglo-Catholic is the same as C of E? Or is this another religious group entirely?
Certainly not CofE. Something to do with Anglicans and Catholics wanking each other off I think.
Quote from: Scissorlegs on July 22, 2012, 12:34:41 AM
Something to do with Anglicans and Catholics wanking each other off I think.
Still confused, is that what goes on at jumble sales? It sounds awfully jumbled.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 21, 2012, 07:28:24 PM
I have another one from the same book: Anglo-Catholic. When I read this I assumed it referred to someone from Britian who was Catholic (i.e., Roman Catholic, which is the same thing on this side of the pond). Then later in the book the narrator was asked about a Catholic church and she described her own church, which I thought was C of E, what with the vicar being engaged to be married and all. The people she was talking to were confused as well until it was sorted out that she was talking about Anglo-Catholic, and they meant Roman Catholic. So just to confirm, Anglo-Catholic is the same as C of E? Or is this another religious group entirely?
It's a movement within the Anglican Church which more or less embraces the Catholic model of doctrine and worship but still wants to retain the separate identity of the former. They like to dress up more ornately and put on a bit of a show unlike their dourer colleagues.
Quote from: En_Route on July 22, 2012, 01:00:16 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 21, 2012, 07:28:24 PM
I have another one from the same book: Anglo-Catholic. When I read this I assumed it referred to someone from Britian who was Catholic (i.e., Roman Catholic, which is the same thing on this side of the pond). Then later in the book the narrator was asked about a Catholic church and she described her own church, which I thought was C of E, what with the vicar being engaged to be married and all. The people she was talking to were confused as well until it was sorted out that she was talking about Anglo-Catholic, and they meant Roman Catholic. So just to confirm, Anglo-Catholic is the same as C of E? Or is this another religious group entirely?
It's a movement within the Anglican Church which more or less embraces the Catholic model of doctrine and worship but still wants to retain the separate identity of the former. They like to dress up more ornately and put on a bit of a show unlike their dourer colleagues.
So high church vs. low church? I'm familiar with those terms but never heard high church called Catholic of any kind.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 22, 2012, 01:51:24 AM
So high church vs. low church? I'm familiar with those terms but never heard high church called Catholic of any kind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_church
QuoteIn the 17th century, the term "High Church" was used to describe those divines and laity who placed a "high" emphasis on complete adherence to the Established Church position, including some emphasis on ritual or liturgical practices inherited from the Early Church or the Undivided Church.
These guys calling themselves high and thereby inferring others are low is annoying. High does have the modern drug addled connotation so I suppose it is appropriate.
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 22, 2012, 01:51:24 AM
So high church vs. low church?
O ye'll tak' the high church,
and Ah'll tak' the low church,
And Ah'll be in Heaven afore ye
(But isn't a "church" called a "kirk" in Scots? You know, like Captain
Church on
Star Trek... :D )
('Course I'm just a dumb Yank, but I think 'Heaven" would be spelled something like
Heiven...)
O ye'll tak' the high kirk,
and Ah'll tak' the low kirk,
And Ah'll be in Heiven afore ye
Quote from: The Magic Pudding on July 22, 2012, 04:05:35 AM
Quote from: BooksCatsEtc on July 22, 2012, 01:51:24 AM
So high church vs. low church? I'm familiar with those terms but never heard high church called Catholic of any kind.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High_church
QuoteIn the 17th century, the term "High Church" was used to describe those divines and laity who placed a "high" emphasis on complete adherence to the Established Church position, including some emphasis on ritual or liturgical practices inherited from the Early Church or the Undivided Church.
Very informative, thanks. I was taking the high church/low church distinction as having to do with the trappings (incense, robes, etc) so "high church" would be catholic-lite while "low church" was more Puritan in appearance.
Quote from: BCEI was taking the high church/low church distinction as having to do with the trappings (incense, robes, etc) so "high church" would be catholic-lite while "low church" was more Puritan in appearance.
That too. It's the High mob that do the trappings - "Bells and Smells" - it seems to go along with the catholic side. The Low gang generally have pretty plain churches and services.
Good quote: "Did you really think you could outsmart me, boy? I'm. Sherlock Bleeding Holmes!"